Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy. When it comes to this area, what we are all striving to do is to balance the need and desirability for free speech, free expression and free association on the one hand with making sure that we do not have fake news and misinformation, whether it is online or in print. Misinformation and fake news is wrong whether it is online, in print or on posters. Many fake posters are appearing across the country, largely targeted at the Government but at others too.

I do not believe in an outright ban on political advertising, whether that is banning posters, print advertising or banning it online, but it needs to be properly regulated and made transparent so we know the source of any political advertising, who has paid for it and how it is being targeted. We set up an interdepartmental group on that point. The group identified that there is an obvious gap in the treatment of print broadcast media and online platforms when it comes to political advertising. That is something we need to change. It is easier to spread disinformation online because it is not properly regulated.

The current proposal is to regulate the transparency of online political advertising. We are committed to legislate as soon as we possibly can to mitigate this gap. The regulation of political advertising in the broadcast media is part of a wider regulatory framework for advertising. Advertising in the print media is subject to a self-regulatory code of the Advertising Standards Authority of Ireland. However, political advertising is not covered within the scope of this code. It is the view that overhauling the regulatory provisions across all platforms is therefore a significant piece of work that is best done by the electoral commission when it is established, in conjunction with the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland. In the meantime, it is our priority to press ahead with legislation to ensure that online advertising is properly regulated and transparent. We will progress that legislation as soon as we possibly can.

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